Combination table



June10,-1924. 1,497,379

- F. w. MORSE COMBINATION TABLE Filed March 15, 1922 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Fra/pi W Morse.

June 10 1924.

F. W. MORSE COMBINATION TABLE Filed- March 15 1922 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 I jfi *1 INVENTOR 2 i Fm): W'Morse. \\\\\\\\wl fig ED! v 5 ATTORNEYS June10 1 924,

\ F. W. MORSE COMBINATION TABLE Filed March 15. 1932 3 Sheets-Sheet 5INVENTOR I'm/M772 Mama.

BY m1, V6) ATTORNEYS ?etented June 1.0, 1924:,

FRANK ItTLQRSE, OF SAN EERNANDO, CALIFORNIA, ASSIGNOB *IO SAN 'EERNANDOMANUFACTURING ASSOCIATION, SAN @ERNZQNIDO, GALIFORNIA.

COMBINATION TABL Application filed March 15,

To all whom it may concern,

Be it known that l, FRANK W. Monsn, a

citizenof the United States, residing at San Fernando, county of LosAngeles, and State of California, have invented a new and ImprovedCombination Table, of which the following is a specification. Primarily,my invention has, for its purpose to provide an improved construction oftable, in which the parts are coopera tively combined and arrangedwhereby they may be conveniently and expeditiously adjusted so thatthetab-le may be utilized for such various uses for which tables of thischaracter are generally adapted, that can be manufactured at arelatively small cost with the parts compactly assembled for the purposeof conserving space in small rooms and compartments, and in which thesaid parts may be changed from one type of table to another by any one,with practically no waste of time.

Another object of my invention is to provide an improved form ofcombination table that is especially well adapted for use by rmechanical engineers for home work, whose top or writing table portionis designed for use as a drafting board and equipped with parts thatserve as receptacles for drawing instruments, when used for drafting purposes, or for holding other desired articles when used as a toilettable.

Another and important object of my invention is the provision of animproved constructionof table, of the general character stated, havingthe individual parts so designed and connected. whereby, when used as anordinary table, the container spaces or receptacles for books,instruments and the like, are closed down under the table top, thecomplete table also including a slidable extension that serves as ashelf upon which books, a work lamp and other articles may be readilyand safely placed when the table top is used for ordinary purposes.

With other obj ects in View that will beincidentally vreferred to, asthe detailed description of the construction and the adjustability of myimproved combination table is considered, my invention comprehends atable of the character stated in which is embodied certain peculiarfeatures of construction and cooperative arrangement of parts, fullyexplained in the following detailed description, specifically 1922.Serial No. 5 43,,85l5.

ated i lleappiende claim and i lus rate n the accompanyi g clra ings, iwhich :r I i igu e l i a pe sp tive View o my innaf on able, th pa b gadjusted a an ordinary ,flat top table, the horizontally slidablesection being shown drawn out to provide an auxiliary table or shelf.

Figure 2 is a similar view thereof, the hinged or main tabletop beingshown swung back, the sub-desk or writing tabletop, with the mirrorattachment, being also shown swung baclr and held in such position byengagement with the main hinge top.

Figure 3 is a longitudinal section of the complete table with the partsadjusted as in Figure 1, the section being taken substantially on theline 3-3 on the said Figure 1 see arrow 00, the sub or. writing table,being shown forced down against the tension of the lifting springshereinafter specifically mentioned.

Figure 4; is a longitudinal section of the table with the parts adjustedas in Figure 2, see line H on FigureflQ.

Figure 5 is a transverse section of the table taken {on the line 5-5 ofFigure 3.

Figure 6 is a detailplan view of one corner of the table, parts beingdotted. i

- Figure 7 is a detail section of one of the detachable leg connections,hereinafter de: scribed. i

'In the practical development of my improved construction of combinationtable, the same embodies a main table body or frame comprising oppositesides 1-l, and opposite ends 2'2, "the adjacent ends of which arejoined, in any suitable manner, with corner portions that constituteparts of the table legs, the latter to provide for the compact packingof the parts, of I which the complete table is formed, and for readilydisconnecting the lower or legs '3 proper, for the purpose of shippingthe stacked parts are detachably connected to the corner pieces 30, by ascrew bolt and nut connection, shown in Figure 7. By reference to saidFigure 7, it will be seen the corner piece 30 has a vertical socket 31in the bottom thereof, the socket being non circular in cross section,into which is wedged a nut 4: adapted for receiving the upper threadedend of a bolt 5 whose lower end terminates in a wood screw for beingscrewed into the top of the leg member 3,

it being obvious that when inserted into the upper end of the leg member8, the upper threaded end 50 of the bolt 5 may be readily worked throughthe threaded aperture 40 in the nut 4, the said corner portion 30 havingan upwardly extended socket portion 32 to receive the upper threaded endof the bolt 5 when the leg member 3 is screwed up tightly against thefixedly held corner mem ber 30, as shown.

6 designates what is hereinafter termed the main table top and the saidtop 6 is joined to the upper, outer edge of the rear end member of thetable frame or body by flat hinges 70, so connected to the table frameand the top member 6, that the latter can be readily folded down,flatwise, over the upper edges of the sides and ends of the table body,as shown in Figures 1 and 3 or swung up and back to the position shownin Figures 2 and at, as desired,

To secure the table top 6 to the dropped or flat position, the said topis provided with a lock bolt keeper 61 that cooperates with the bolt ofthe key actuated lock 62 mounted in the front end of the table frame inthe usual way and as indicated in the drawings.

My construction of combination table includes what is hereinafter termeda sub frame, and the said frame, when the main table top 6 is swung tothe upright position shown in Figures 2 and 1, constitutes a writingdesk top 12 r 77 designates a pair of oppositely disposed cleats andthey constitute the supports for the writingor sub-desk top 12, when thelatter is positioned as indicated in dotted lines in Figure 4, and thesaid cleats 77, when the said desk top 12 is forced down to the positionshown in Figure 5, as will be presently explained, rest on a pair ofoppositely disposed cleats 88 which are fixedly attached to the loweredges of the main frame sides 1--1, as is clearly shown in the aforesaidFigure 5 of the drawing. a

Cooperative with each cleat 7 is a link member 9 and each of suchmembers 9 is mounted at the rear end of their respective table sides 1and are joined to such sides 1 by pivot studs 10 that journal in thesaid sides 1, as is clearly shown in Figures 3 and ff- The two linkmembers 99 are joined by cross strip 11 to which the writing desk top 12is connected by flat hinges 13 which are arranged in such manner that,when desired, the said desk top can be readily swung up to the positionshown in full lines, Figure 4:, to bring to View a mirror 15, when thetable is utilized as a toilet table, it being understood by referring toFigure 4, that when the said table top '12 is swung up as shown,particularly in Figure 2, the said top 12 can he held to its raisedposition by engagement thereof with the rack 20 upon the main top 6, asshown in full lines in Figure 2 or as shown in dot and dash lines inFigure 4.

Each link member 9 is sufficiently curved at the outer edge to permitthe said members to swing down to the position shown in Figure 3, whenthe main table top is closed down, as will be presently furtherexplained, and the said link members 99 are offset at their upper sidesto receive the opposite ends of a sheet metal trough-like cross stripwhich serves as a suitable rack for the reception of pens, pencils andthe like, and one or both ends of the said strip 90 is socketed for thereception of an ink--well 99 which is secured within the said socket inany suitable way.

As before noted, the top 12 when at the down or writin desk position,indicated in dotted lines on' igure 4, is supported upon two cleats 77with a smooth finish of the front edge of the said desk top beingprovided by a fixed cross cleat 16, and to provide for forcing thewriting desk or subframe, including the cleats 77, in downward directionwhen the main top 6 is closed down, the inner ends of the cleats 7 areconnected to their respective links or extension k members 9 by flathinges 14-, it being apparent, by referring to Figures 3 and 4, that thehinge connections 13 and 14 provide for the desired buckling of themembers 7 and 9 to permit the desk top 12 and the cleats 7 to lower inthe horizontal plane, as before stated, as the said link members 9-9swing downwardly on their pivot 10, as indicated.

The sub-desk top 12 that moves up and down with the cleats 7 is of suchwidth and length that it substantially closes the opening between thesides and ends of the main table frame, the trough-like strip 90 constituting the top closure for the rear part of the said main table openingwhen the top 12 is in position for use as a writing desk,

shown in dotted lines in Figure 4.

The sub-frame, consisting of the writing desk top 12, the cleats 7 andthe members 9, when the main top 6 is swung up, is automatically shiftedto the upper or operative position (see dotted lines Figure 4) bysuitable spring devices that are interposed between the bottom of thecleats 7-7 and the bottom 19 of the desk, and it will be seen byreference to the said figure that, when the cleats 77 are so swung up,the cross cleat 16 forms a stop for the outer ends thereof.

In the drawings I have illustrated bowed springs 18 and they constantlyforce the sub-frame upwardly to shift the desk top 12 to the operativeposition shown in Figure 4, and in the drawings the said springs 18 areshown with one end secured in a member 19 lll) that constitutes a bottomclosure for the main table frame, the other end of the said springs 18being secured to the under side of the cleats 7, as shown.

While the form of spring devices shown tends to constantly force thesub-frame upwardly, it is obvious that coil springs or other cushioningmeans may be interposed between the cleats 7-7 and the bottom member 19.

20 designates a rack on the under side of the main table top 6 for thereception of books, drawing instruments and other articles adapted forbeing readily placed therein and" supported on the said top when thelatter is at either the upright or closed position. 21 indicates ashallow article holding rack which. extends lengthwise of and is securedto the rear end of the main table top 6, the said rack 21 being sodisposed along the inner side of the top 6 that when the latter isclosed down the opposite ends of the said rack fit over the channeledpors tions of the link members 9, as is shown in Figure 3.

Although I have illustrated my improved construction of combinationtable as of rectangular form, suitable for use in small apartments androoming houses, and particularly designed as a work, writing or toilettable, the design of the said table may be readily modified. to adapt myinvention for use, with equal advanages, in offices of mechanicalengineers, architects and for other like purposes.

25 designates a sliding shelf or supplementaltable which moves through ahorizontal slot 26 along the lower edge of one of the side members 1 ofthe main table frame, and the said member 25 has movement and is guidedalong by the lower edge of one of the side cleats 8 and the table bottom19. A suitable guide 28 is also provide. l for one. side of the shelf25. The said shelf 25 has a cleat 27 at its outer edge which constitutesa filler for fitting flush with that side edge of the table frame (seeFigure 5) and also to serve as a convenient finger grip for pulling theshelf 25 out, as desired.

lVhen the table top 6 is down, as in Figures 1., 3 and 5, the rackportion 20 onthe under side thereof, engages the writing desk top 12,and since the latter is hinged to the members 9, and the latter arepivotally hung on the opposite sides of'the main table frame, the saidwriting desk top 12 and the cleats 7-7, that constitute the sub-frame,before mentioned, will be forced down to the position shown in Figures 3and 5, the writing desk top 12 and the cleats 7-7 being moveddownwardly, retaining their horizontal relation as the members 9 swingdownwardly and open from the adjacent edges of the cleats 7 7. Thesprings-18 -18 are compressed as force is applied when swinging down thetop 6, the latter being held down to the lowered position by the lockdevices 61-62,, before mentioned, it being obvious that by channelingthe trough members 90, as shown and described, the cleat 21 on the top 6will clearly fit over the said members -90.

From the foregoing description, taken in connection with the drawings,the complete construction, the advantages and the ease in which theadjustments of the parts may be made to adapt the table for the varioususes stated, will be readily apparent to those familiar with themanufacture of, and the use of tables of that kind to which my inventionrelates.

lVhat I claim is: v i

1. A table that includes a main frame and a main hinged top, a sub-framewithin the main frame which includes a hinged top, means tending tonormally advance the subframe with its hinged top in the horizontalplane of the top supporting edges of the main frame when the main top isswung to the vertical position, a receptacle on the un der side of themain top for holding books and other articles, the said sub-frame beingdownwardly movable by, contact therewith of parts of said receptaclewhen the latter is closed flatwise down onto the main table frame, andmeans tending to normally ad-' vance the sub-frame comprising springs interposed between the sub-frame and main frame that force the sub-frameto'its uppermost or operative position.

2. A table that includes a main frame and a main hinged top, a sub-framewithin the main frame which includes a hinged top,

means tendingto normally advance the subframe with its hinged top in thehorizontal plane of the top supporting edges of the main frame when themain top is swung to the vertical position, a receiver on the under sideof the main top for holding books and other articles, the said sub-framebeing downwardly movable by contact therewith of parts of the main tabletop when the latter is closed fiatwise down onto themain table frame,the hinged top of the sub frame forming a stay:for engaging; and holdingthe main top to its partly elevated position. V

3, A table of the character stated com prising a main frame, a main tophinged to the said frame, a sub-frame withinthe main frame. the saidsub-frame including oppositely disposed cleats, a link section hinged toone end of each of said cleats, the saidlink sections being eachpivotally hinged on their adjacent sides of the main table frame and asupplemental top mem ber mounted upon and movable with the saidoppositely disposed cleats, and means tending to normally force thesaidsubs frame upwardly.

lUO

4. A table of the character stated comprising a main frame, a main tophinged to the said frame, a subframe within the main frame, the saidsub-frame including oppositely disposed cleats, a link section hinged toone end of each of said cleats, the said link sections being eachpivotally hinged on their adjacent sides of the main table frame, asupplemental top member mounted upon and movable with the saidoppositely disposed cleats, means tending to normally force the saidsub-frame upwardly, a cross member that connects the swingable ends ofthe opposite link sections, the said supplemental top member beinghinged to the said cross member, means on the main table top forengaging the sub-frame top and forcing the said sub-fra1ne and top downwithin the main table frame when the main table top is swung down ontothe said main table frame and means for holding the said main table topto the lowered position to secure the said main table top and the subframe locked against the tension of the subframe lifting means.

5. A table of the character stated coinprising a main frame, a main tophinged to the said frame, a sub-frame within the main frame, the saidsub-frame including oppositely disposed cleats, a link section hinged toone end of each of said cleats, the said link sections being eachpivotally hinged on their adjacent sides of the main table frame, asupplemental top member mounted upon and movable with the saidoppositely disposed cleats, means tending to normally force the saidsub-frame upwardly, a cross member that connects the swingable ends ofthe opposite link sections, the said supplemental top member be inghinged to the said cross member, a rack on the main table top adapted toengage the sub-frame top and forcing the said subframe and top downwithin the main table frame when the main table top is swung down ontothe said main table frame, means for holding the said main table top tothe lowered position to secure the said main table top and the sub-framelocked againstthe tension of the sub-frame lifting means, the saidsub-frame top being hinged to the sub-frame to swing upwardly.

6. In a combination table of the character stated. the combination witha main open top table frame, a top board hinged at one end of the tableframe to close fiatwise, onto the said frame, a subframe verticallymounted within the main frame, the said sub-frame including a top whichconstitutes a closure for the opening in the main table frame when thesaid sub-frame is at the limit of its raised adjustment,

upper edge of the main table frame, the top of the sub-frame beinghinged to swing up against the main table top when the latter is at itsupright position.

7. In a combination table of the character stated, the combination witha main open top a closed bottom table frame, a top board hinged at oneend of the table frame to close fiatwise onto the said frame, asub-frame vertically mounted within the main frame, the said sub-frameincluding a top-which constitutes closure for the opening in the maintable frame when the said sub-frame is at the limit of its raisedadjustment, spring devices mounted on the main frame that normally tendto raise the said subl'rame to bring its top in the plane of the upperedge of the main table frame, the top of the Sllb-xfltllll being hingedto swing up against the main table top when the latter is at its uprightposition, means within the main table frame that constitutes stops thatlimit the dowmvard adjustment of the sub-frame to less than the depth-ofthe main frame whereby to leave a storage space below the sub-frame top.

8. In a combination table of the character described, a main open toptable frame, a main table top hinged to said frame to close downfiatwise over the opening in the top of the main frame, the said maintop having projecting portions on the under side, a subframe verticallymovable within the main table frame, said sub-frame including a topwhich constitutes a closure for the opening in the top of the main tableframe when the said sub-frame is at its uppermost position, springdevices interposed between the said sub-frame and a bottom member of themain table frame, the said spring devices tending to normally expand andforce the sub-frame with its top to the uppermost position, the saidsub-frame including oppositely disposed cleats, a link member hinged toone end of each of the said cleats, the oppositely disposed link membersbeing pirotally connected to their respective sides of the main tableframe, said link members being offset at their upper edge, a trough-likemember whose opposite ends engage the said opposite link members, andcross cleats whose opposite ends connect with the said opposite linkmembers, the sub-frame top being hinged to the said cross cleat to swingup the projecting portions on the under side of the main table top beingarranged for engaging and bracing the sub frame with its hinged top andthe link members down within the main table frame. and a lock device forholding the main table top to its lowered position, and against thetension of the sub-frame elevating spring devices.

9. A table that includes a main frame and a main table top hinged tosaid main frame,

said main frame having a bottom and constituting a receptacle, asub-frame mounted within said receptacle and adapted to assume twopositions, said sub-frame including a hinged top, a spring for raisingsaid sub-1"'ran1e to brim its hinged top in the plane of the top edge ofthe main frame to cause said sub-frame to assume one of its positions,means limiting the action of the spring, said main hinged top includingprovisions which, when said top is in the closed position, will pressdown said sub-frame and its hinged top against the action of the springand thereby cause said sub-frame to assume, its second position withinthe said receptacle.

10. A table that includes a main frame and a main table top hinged tosaid main frame, said main frame having a bottom and constituting areceptacle, a sub-frame mounted within said receptacle and adapted toassume two positions, said sub-frame including a hinged top, a springfor raising said sub-frame to bring its hinged top in the plane of thetop edge of the main frame to cause said sub-frame to assume one of itspositions, means limiting the action of the spring, said main hinged topincluding provisions which, when said top is in the closed position,will press down said sub-frame and its hinged top against the action ofthe spring and thereby cause said sub-frame to assume its secondposition within the said receptacle, said sub-frame includingarticulated members hinged to said main frame.

FRANK W. MORSE.

